| Yarn braids |
I used to watch people braid hair as if they were casting a spell. Their fingers moved with ease and confidence while mine seemed awkward and clumsy. Curious and determined, I decided to uncover their secret and learn the craft myself.
My first attempt was on a neighbour who wanted neat cornrows. I volunteered to practice and began carefully parting and weaving her hair. No matter how hard I concentrated, the braids loosening almost immediately after I finished. I felt discouraged and embarrassed — it looked nothing like the tidy styles I admired.
| My bakala is getting better |
Not ready to give up, I practiced on my younger sister’s hair. I tried single braids, cornrows and even attempted a weave — the weave was a disaster, but I learned from it. After several failed tries I considered giving up and focusing on something I felt more confident about, like cooking in the kitchen.
Still, I kept coming back to braiding. After my first daughter was born I tried repeatedly to style her hair, though often I ended up asking someone more skilled to finish the job. Each attempt taught me a small lesson about tension, parting, and patience.
When we moved to America, I discovered how expensive professional braiding can be compared to prices back home in Cameroon. With several daughters to care for, I doubled down on learning — sometimes the braids would fall apart before I finished, or a section would look uneven and rushed. It was frustrating, but I kept practicing.
Persistence paid off. One day a neighbour knocked on my door after seeing how I had styled my daughter’s hair; she asked me to braid her teenage daughter’s hair. I was surprised and thrilled. That moment of recognition felt like validation — the skill I had worked so hard to develop was now visible to others.
Since then, I’ve braided occasionally for friends and neighbours for a small fee. The mystery that once intimidated me has been solved. What once seemed impossible became achievable through repetition and steady improvement.
What is the thing you desperately want to learn but think you can’t? You may have tried and failed, but that doesn’t mean you should stop. Keep practicing, keep persisting. Keep striking the rock until water comes out. Success rarely happens on the first try — it’s the result of steady effort and learning from mistakes.
As you practice more, your skills improve. Practice really does make progress, and eventually confidence follows. Yes, you can learn almost anything if you are willing to be patient and committed. Do you believe it? Are you working toward that goal?
I’d love to hear from you: what have you accomplished that once felt out of reach? Share your story in the comments — reading about others’ small victories is inspiring. Have an excellent week!
*Bakala is a local expression for cornrows in Cameroon.